Ciao Taipei, Bongiorno Napoli!

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TAIPEI CITY – It was a fitting end to a 12-day celebration. There were fireworks, cultural performances, speeches, and plenty of memorable moments. The 29^th Summer Universiade officially closed on Wednesday evening. “We have many performances tonight for you,” the speaker said, and he was right on-the-spot.

The evening started with several musical performances by Taipei performers. It was then followed by the parade of athletes, where hundreds of Universiade competitors donned their countries’ colours and strolled through the grounds of Taipei Stadium. “Over the past 12 days, we have witnessed the sweat of the athletes,” FISU President Oleg Matytsin said.

The entire evening was a fitting mix of celebration and nostalgia. The athletes and fans no doubt reminiscing about the past 12 days, while the future of the Universiade was also on tap. A beautiful rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ was sung before the Organizing Committee of the Napoli 2019 games took the stage receiving the FISU Flag out of the hands of FISU President Matytsin after Taipei City Mayor Ko handed it back to the FISU leader.

CUSI President Lorenzo Lentini receives the FISU Flag from FISU President Matytsin

After a fitting dance and opera performance, the organisers of the 30^th Summer Universiade are excited about filling Taipei’s grand shoes in two years.

 Ci vediamo a Napoli!

Salim Valji (CAN) & Karl Sundström (SWE), FISU Young Reporters